Transforming Sandman-Style PowerPoint™ Projects into Terrific Teaching Tools
Student presentations are a stock item often attached to student projects.
But, instead of stupendous effort and contagious creativity, most electronic slide shows deliver stupefying (as in stupor-inducing) rubber-stamp sameness. Yawn!
Petrified Point - What's the Point?
Rather than a power surge that threatens to blow fuses with high-voltage energy, many student presentations seem to hold the charge of "played-out" batteries.
But, this is only because teachers "underwent" training (indoctrination) by software-specialists instead of curriculum specialists and Master Teachers.
When real teachers mentor teachers, ideas for how to maximize instructional impact materialize. When creative folks brainstorm, think, focus upon higher-order thinking skills, share...then pipsqueak sparks become lightening bolts of excitement in student presentations.
And, a bit of creativity (and a small bit of work) put into project design templates can drive huge benefits in the improved quality of students' electronic presentations.
These template strategies can…
- Save the teacher a lot of work
- Set standards for evaluating student presentations
- Provide an antidote for "presenter's (writer's) block"
- Level the playing field for Special Population students and reluctant/ recalcitrant/ dejected readers
- Spark higher-level outcomes for Gifted and Talented students
- Ensure uniformity of the presentations (all the requirements are included in the template)
Tricks of the Trade
Countless creative strategies can be developed once a teacher escapes from the traditional slide show, and typical student presentation project.
Here are some examples of exemplary tactics that transform PowerPoint projects from "ho-hum" to "humming along."
PowerPoint Sidekicks & Desktop Learning Spaces
Here is a list of items that you can find on Dr. Annette Lamb's Educape site...
